Mi’kmaq Nation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service sign co-stewardship agreement

LIMESTONE, Maine (WAGM) - A signed agreement between the Mi’kmaq Nation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is being called an historic step forward in land management and cultural preservation. The agreement builds on years of collaboration and opens the door for expanded access, education, and conservation.

The partnership between the Mi’kmaq Nation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is now official after a co-stewardship agreement was signed. Both groups say the agreement is rare.

“This is very unique to Maine and to the eastern side of the United States,” said Shanon Hill, Mi’kmaq environmental health director.

Sharon Marino, acting northeast regional director for the Fish and Wildlife Service, said this is her first opportunity to sign a co-stewardship agreement.

“I think it’s really an excellent opportunity to solidify our really important partnership with the Mi’kmaq Nation. And we don’t have a lot of these similar type co-stewardship agreements in the country,” Marino said.

Marino has worked for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for over 28 years throughout the northeast areas of the country. In Aroostook County, she is one of two people signing the documents.

Agreement details

The agreement outlines how the two groups will work together moving forward, including access for cultural practices and shared use of the land.

“Included in this agreement are things that we will work together on. So for example, a connecting trail that extends between both of our lands, brown ash harvest for traditional use for basket making, some native plant use and interpretation,” said Tim Binzen, regional tribal liaison for the Fish and Wildlife Service.

Although the two groups have worked together for years, putting the agreement into writing took time.

“For several years, we’ve been working on a co-stewardship agreement with the Mi’kmaq Nation for Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge. We finally finalized the agreement,” said John Magera, project leader for the Northern Maine Refuge Complex.

Leaders say the agreement formalizes a long-standing relationship while also setting a model for others across the region. In Aroostook County, Mi’kmaq Chief Sheila McCormack says she hopes it encourages more collaboration.

“It’s exciting to work in partnership with anyone that wants to join us. We welcome them to come in and learn what we know, and we want to learn what they know,” McCormack said.

After signing the documents, the group used signage in both Mi’kmaq and English to visually connect one trail to another, symbolizing the partnership now in place.

The signed documents are now on display at the Aroostook Wildlife Refuge.